Serve South Carolina Students - Become an ESTF Provider

The Education Scholarship Trust Fund is a state-wide program that provides qualifying 10,000 students $7,500 each year to build a customized, flexible education to nurture their love of learning. 

The South Carolina Department of Education is seeking to fill critical gaps in available Education Service Providers (ESPs) who have high-quality services.

  • Tutors

    Tutors

    Tutors must have a Bachelor’s degree and can only tutor in core subjects (Math, English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science), art, foreign language, & music.

    Become a tutor
  • Therapists

    Therapists

    The ESTF program is seeking therapists offering ABA, Speech, Physical, OT, Visual, and support with Dysgraphia/Dyslexia. Evaluation fees are also allowable.

    Become a Therapist
  • Drivers

    Drivers

    Transportation providers must drive a child other than their own child (i.e., carpooling) and have a valid SC Driver’s License to drive students to ESTF classes and services.

    Become a Driver

What to expect after you apply to be a provider:

Background Checks

  • Background checks must be completed specifically for ESTF and results must be emailed to estfprogram@ed.sc.gov.

  • If you are a state employee (i.e., public school teacher) and have a background check from within the last six months, you may submit that. Otherwise, you must complete a central registry background check ($8) through DSS and a criminal histories background check ($26) through SLED CATCH. We highly recommend emailing DSS and requesting a downloadable PDF of your results so that you do not have to worry about encryption: CentralRegistryInfo@dss.sc.gov.

  • Any type of facility (school, tutoring center, hybrid school class provider) can attest that all of their providers have received background checks. In this case, the individuals do not all need to do their own DSS & SLED CATCH. If the provider’s organization type is “Individual” or “Sole Proprietor,” they will need to submit both background checks for themselves and any partner who would be working with children.

  • Check out our background check guide for step by step instructions.

  • Your application will be reviewed by SCDE within 10 business days. 

  • Within 3 business days of your application approval, you will receive an email with instructions for how to set up your account in ClassWallet, including linking your bank account to receive payments from ESTF families. 

    • The link expires after 7 days. If you need a new link, please contact ClassWallet at help@classwallet.com

  • You can promote your business as a qualified ESP provider, and you will be included on our finder tool within 10 business days.

Background Check Guide

FAQs

Provider Webinar Deck

  • There are 2 different kinds of ESP providers. You will indicate which one you want to be when you apply: 

    • Marketplace Providers: for ESPs that have their own check-out process on their website (e.g. Best Buy, Office Depot, Lakeshore Learning). 

    • Direct Pay Providers: ESPs that do not have a check-out process on their website. If families want to buy a product or service, they will contact you to receive an invoice and submit that invoice to Classwallet for approval. Then Classwallet will transfer funds from that child’s ESTF account to your ESP’s bank account.

  • No. There are no reimbursements with this program. Families will purchase products and services through a digital wallet, Classwallet, and the funds will be transferred from their child’s ESTF account to the ESP.

    • Independent School (in person, located in South Carolina)

    • Independent School (online)

    • Textbooks, Curriculum or Educational Items (vendors who sell only these items)

    • Tutoring (in-person or online, Bachelor's Degree required)

    • Computer Hardware or Technological Devices (vendors who sell only these items. If you provide these items as part of a private school OR tutoring service do not select this category.)

    • Individual Class Provider: In-person, online

    • Student Exams, Certifications or Assessments (vendors who provide these examinations)

    • Educational Therapies or Services for Students with Disabilities (vendors who provide Speech, Physical, Occupational Therapies, Vision Therapy and ABA Therapy. No other therapies are approved at this time. Valid license required.)

    • Uniform Vendor: Parents are responsible for ensuring that uniform components comply with their schools dress code policy. Core components only – shirts, shorts, pants, skirts, jackets.

    • Transportation Provider

    • Charter School

    • Educational Consultant

Want to know more?

The ESTF Education Service Provider Guide offers a comprehensive overview of everything you need to know to qualify, apply, and succeed in supporting students in the program.

Download